The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2023

they will assign when you set up text messaging within their product. Clio provides text messaging, including calendar notifications and reminders, in its Essentials plan. So if you are a Clio EasyStart base-level subscriber, it might make sense to upgrade to Essentials for an additional $30 per user per month. If you are already a Clio Essentials subscriber and haven’t set up text reminders yet, it is time to start implementing it since you already “own” the tool. CosmoLex and Rocket Matter, both now owned by ProfitSolv, do not offer texting tools within their practice management solution. However, both have a CRM (cus tomer relationship management) suite of tools that includes the fea ture and many others. CosmoLex’s CRM is an extra $147 per month for up to three users. Rocket Matter’s CRM package is an additional $49 per user per month. Smokeball has a Communicate feature that allows communica tions with clients via email or text, but the preferred method is via the free downloadable app. 5 Using a texting tool provided by your practice management solution has the benefit of making sure all text messages are automat ically saved to the client file. These tools are often much easier to use and save you time since they work within the PMS. 6 SERVICES PROVIDING MORE COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS THAN JUST TEXT REMINDERS To complete this roundup, I wanted to take a deeper dive into a messaging platform with more CRM features. I noted on Bob Ambrogi’s LawSites blog that Case Status, “a mobile client portal and messaging platform with a primary focus on consumer law firms, has raised $5 million in a Series B round, bringing its total

or discovered. The developers of practice management software tools appreciate the increasing use of text messages and that these client communications need to be saved in the client file like other communications. Many practice management solutions are now incorporating their own text mes sage solution or integrating with preferred text message providers. Here are a few examples. MyCase has integrated two-way text messaging so a lawyer can send a client text messages within the MyCase desktop or mobile app and have those conversations retained within the client case file. A subscription to the Pro plan is required at $59 per user per month. PracticePanther launched its text messaging application within its practice management solution in late 2021. It’s only available with the Business plan at $89 a month. They offer time capture, event and reminder alerts using a unique phone number for your firm that

response will be emailed to me. If the client calls the number, the call will go to my landline. When that lawyer gave me his glowing recommendation, Apptoto was $29 per month. Now the starter pack is $39 per month, which will link to three calendars and provide 400 auto messages (essentially each text or email). 3 Capterra lists its top 10 text message reminder tools. 4 Apptoto is included. The highest rated is DoctorConnect, and several others have names linked to the medi cal profession. DoctorConnect’s minimum pricing is $210 per month. It is HIPAA compliant and has advanced features, including payment reminders. INTEGRATED TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER TOOLS We can all appreciate that the most affordable technology tool is the one we already have and are paying for but haven’t yet utilized

The developers of practice management software tools appreciate the increasing use of text messages and that these client communications need to be saved in the client file like other communications. Many practice management solutions are now incorporating their own text message solution or integrating with preferred text message providers.

58 | JANUARY 2023

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL